E commerce news 2018

Here are some of the top e-commerce news stories from 2018:

  1. Amazon's Acquisition of Whole Foods: In August 2018, Amazon completed its acquisition of Whole Foods Market, a chain of upscale grocery stores, for $13.7 billion. This move marked a significant expansion of Amazon's physical retail presence and its entry into the grocery market.
  2. Rise of Social Commerce: Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest continued to grow in importance for e-commerce businesses in 2018. Many retailers launched social commerce initiatives, allowing customers to purchase products directly from their social media feeds.
  3. Voice Commerce: The rise of voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri led to increased interest in voice commerce. Many retailers began to optimize their websites and apps for voice search and launched voice-enabled shopping experiences.
  4. Mobile Payments: Mobile payments continued to gain traction in 2018, with the rise of mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Many retailers began to accept mobile payments in-store and online.
  5. Cybersecurity Concerns: 2018 saw a number of high-profile data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, including the Equifax breach and the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal. This led to increased focus on cybersecurity and data protection in the e-commerce industry.
  6. Sustainability and Environmental Impact: As consumers became more environmentally conscious, e-commerce businesses began to prioritize sustainability and reduce their environmental impact. This included initiatives like reducing packaging, using eco-friendly shipping materials, and implementing recycling programs.
  7. Omnichannel Retailing: The lines between online and offline retail continued to blur in 2018, with many retailers investing in omnichannel retailing strategies that allowed customers to seamlessly switch between online and offline channels.
  8. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML continued to play a larger role in e-commerce, with retailers using these technologies to personalize customer experiences, improve product recommendations, and optimize supply chain operations.
  9. Cross-Border E-commerce: Cross-border e-commerce continued to grow in 2018, with many retailers expanding their international shipping capabilities and offering more products to customers in different regions.
  10. E-commerce Regulations: Governments around the world continued to implement regulations aimed at protecting consumers and promoting fair competition in the e-commerce industry. This included initiatives like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States' Online Sales Tax Act.

Some notable e-commerce statistics from 2018 include:

These are just a few of the many e-commerce news stories from 2018. If you're interested in learning more, I'd be happy to provide additional information!